The big wet: Your guide to flooding in South Australia - and how to be prepared
South Australia is the driest state on the driest inhabited continent, so it is easy to forget that we also experience flooding. We take a look at floods in our state's history and what you can do to prepare.
Flooding is actually one of the state’s costliest natural disasters, after bushfire and hail.
Flooding can be essential for nature, triggering germination of plants in wetlands and floodplains, and providing suitable breeding conditions for many birds, fish and frogs.
But it also has the potential to cause loss of life, injury or economic loss.
Flood history:
While South Australia doesn’t experience major flooding very often, some of these historical flood events show the range of floods our state can experience:
1953 – Coastal flooding on the Adelaide coast
On 18 May, a 110 km/h gale whipped up the highest tide on the Adelaide coast for 38 years (so, since 1915). Four metropolitan jetties were badly damaged and two in the country were destroyed. At the time, the damage bill was estimated at £1m.
1956 – Riverine flooding along the River Murray
Heavy rains in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria led to exceptional flooding along the length of the River Murray in South Australia. Riverside communities were inundated and floodwaters in some places were many kilometres wide.
1983 – Flash flooding in Adelaide and Barossa Hills
On March 2 and 3 1983, the thunderstorm rains that broke one of the most severe recent droughts caused flood and storm damage estimated (at the time) at about $10m.
2016 – Riverine and flash flooding across South Australia
On 28 September 2016, major flooding occurred in the Northern Adelaide Plains, including Virginia, causing significant impact to primary industries in the area. Around 75% of the local government areas across South Australia suffered some impact.
2022-23 - Riverine flooding along the River Murray
Between November 2022 and February 2023, flooding occurred as a result of heavy rain and flood events interstate. This flood was the largest since 1956, and the third highest flood ever recorded in South Australia.
2025 - Riverine flooding in Innamincka
Innamincka saw its highest flooding in recorded history in April 2025, after massive rainfall in Queensland made its way down Kinipapa Cooper Creek to South Australia. Floodwaters surrounded the remote township of less than two dozen people.
Flood risk:
Floods can occur almost anywhere in South Australia, impact anyone, and be caused by riverine flooding, flash flooding, infrastructure failure flooding, and coastal flooding.
Areas with a higher known risk of flooding include:
- Gawler River catchment
- Brown Hill and Keswick Creeks catchment
- Port Adelaide
- Lower Onkaparinga River
- Numbered Creeks in the River Torrens catchment
- Below Lock 1 on the River Murray
Improving flood resilience:
So, what can you do? Communities that are prepared for disasters are more resilient and recover faster if a disaster occurs.
The SA State Emergency Service (SA SES) is responsible for providing flood warnings to the public during a flood event. If you live, work or are visiting a flood-prone area, the SA SES recommend five things you can do now to prepare:
- Know your local area—is there a history of flooding?
- Learn where to go for safety and the safe routes to get there
- Keep a list of Emergency Contacts handy
- Put together an Emergency Kit, including a battery-powered radio, torch and spare batteries
- Check your insurance policy is current and covers you for flood damage
You can also make an Emergency Plan. Remember that while the highest rainfall in South Australia occurs in the winter months, floods can occur at any time.
If you want to learn more about flooding, check out:
- The Department for Environment and Water’s Learn about flooding webpage
- The South Australian Flood Awareness Map where you can look up your address and check your flood risk
- The SA SES website for flood preparation resources
